Local students competing in regional math competition

March 2, 2013

Students from Brooke and Hancock counties will be among 147 students from throughout the Northern Panhandle whose mathematical skills will be challenged in a fast-paced competition today at Wheeling Park High School.

The contest tests the math skills of pupils in grades 4-9 through four segments:

Mental exact, which requires students to provide, without the aid of a calculator, pen or pencil, the exact answer to a math problem given orally.

Mental estimation, which requires the same mental work but because of the difficulty of the problems posed, the students' answer may be within 10 percent above or below the correct answer.

The estimation room, where students estimate the length, volume, weight, capacity and number of a variety of everyday items.

A 40-question written examination.

Students in grades 10-12 will compete through a written test prepared and scored by faculty at West Liberty University.

Sue Hvizdos, a match teacher at Wheeling Park High School, is coordinator of the regional event.

It's the first time in recent years Hancock County will be represented at the event, with a team of 15 pupils from Weir Middle School set to compete.

Alisa Hannah, an eighth grade math teacher at the school, said she put together the team recently and they haven't participated in any math competition previously, so it will be a learning experience for them.